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Geummaek Research

Research Papers

A curated collection of academic research relevant to the clinical practice at Geummaek Korean Medicine Clinic.

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Research Papers
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Total 51 papers

All Wellness / Restoration Gongjindan (拱辰丹) Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏) Gwanjeoldan (關節丹) Hyangseongpajeokhwan (響聲破笛丸) Mental Health Skin Conditions Digestive Disorders Respiratory Conditions ENT Disorders Neurological Disorders Pediatric / Adolescent Care Women's Health / Infertility Men's Health / Urology Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet Geum! Maek! Beauty Clinic Private Inpatient Room Traffic Accident Aftercare Pediatric Traffic Accident Workers' Compensation Lower Back Pain Neck Pain Shoulder Pain Elbow Pain Wrist / Hand Pain Hip Pain Knee Pain Ankle / Foot Pain TMJ Disorder
Systematic Review Wrist / Hand Pain

Systematic review of acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome: RCT evidence

Choi GH, Wieland LS, Lee H, et al.

Medicine (2018)

68% Symptom Improvement
11 Studies Studies Included
4 Weeks Time to Meaningful Improvement

Acupuncture is effective for the non-surgical treatment of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, showing positive effects on nocturnal symptom improvement and nerve function recovery, and can be utilized as a core component of conservative care.

View Source 2018
Systematic Review Wrist / Hand Pain

Systematic review of acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome: RCT evidence

Choi GH, Wieland LS, Lee H, et al. Medicine (2018)
68% Symptom Improvement
11 Studies Studies Included
4 Weeks Time to Meaningful Improvement

Summary

A systematic review of 11 RCTs (total 602 participants) showed acupuncture provides significant improvement in Symptom Severity Score (SSS) and Functional Status Score (FSS) for carpal tunnel syndrome. Night pain and numbness showed marked improvement, with positive changes on nerve conduction studies as well.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture is effective for the non-surgical treatment of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, showing positive effects on nocturnal symptom improvement and nerve function recovery, and can be utilized as a core component of conservative care.

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Case Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of integrated Korean medicine on De Quervain's tenosynovitis: retrospective chart review

Kim TH, Lee JH, Park SJ, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2020)

74% Pain Improvement
12% 6-Month Recurrence
6 Weeks Treatment Duration

Integrated Korean medicine treatment (pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, chuna) is effective for pain relief and functional recovery in De Quervain's tenosynovitis, with a lower long-term recurrence rate compared to steroid injection, supporting its recommendation as a first-line conservative treatment for tenosynovitis.

View Source 2020
Case Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of integrated Korean medicine on De Quervain's tenosynovitis: retrospective chart review

Kim TH, Lee JH, Park SJ, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2020)
74% Pain Improvement
12% 6-Month Recurrence
6 Weeks Treatment Duration

Summary

A retrospective study of 52 patients with De Quervain's tenosynovitis who received combined pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, and chuna therapy. After 6 weeks, VAS pain scores decreased by an average 74% from baseline, and Finkelstein test positivity dropped from 92% to 15%. Recurrence at 6-month follow-up was low.

Key Conclusion

Integrated Korean medicine treatment (pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, chuna) is effective for pain relief and functional recovery in De Quervain's tenosynovitis, with a lower long-term recurrence rate compared to steroid injection, supporting its recommendation as a first-line conservative treatment for tenosynovitis.

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RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of electroacupuncture on wrist tenosynovitis: multicenter randomized controlled trial

Seo BK, Han K, Choi JB, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2022)

67% PRWE Improvement
108 Patients Multicenter Participants
6 Weeks Significant Improvement

Electroacupuncture demonstrates significant effects on pain and functional improvement of wrist tenosynovitis compared to sham acupuncture, confirming its value as an evidence-based Korean medicine treatment.

View Source 2022
RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of electroacupuncture on wrist tenosynovitis: multicenter randomized controlled trial

Seo BK, Han K, Choi JB, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2022)
67% PRWE Improvement
108 Patients Multicenter Participants
6 Weeks Significant Improvement

Summary

A multicenter RCT comparing electroacupuncture vs. sham across 3 institutions in 108 patients with wrist tenosynovitis. The electroacupuncture group had an average 67% improvement in PRWE (Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation) at 6 weeks — significantly higher than sham (31%).

Key Conclusion

Electroacupuncture demonstrates significant effects on pain and functional improvement of wrist tenosynovitis compared to sham acupuncture, confirming its value as an evidence-based Korean medicine treatment.

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Systematic Review Wrist / Hand Pain

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Kim YJ, Lee SH, Park JH, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

84% Symptom improvement rate
1687 patients Total participants

Acupuncture is effective for symptom improvement and nerve function recovery in carpal tunnel syndrome.

View Source 2023
Systematic Review Wrist / Hand Pain

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Kim YJ, Lee SH, Park JH, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
84% Symptom improvement rate
1687 patients Total participants

Summary

Twenty-two RCTs (total 1,687 patients) analyzing acupuncture effects in carpal tunnel syndrome patients were meta-analyzed. The acupuncture group showed significant improvements compared to controls in symptom severity scores, functional status scores, and nerve conduction study results.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture is effective for symptom improvement and nerve function recovery in carpal tunnel syndrome.

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RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Randomized Controlled Trial of Pharmacopuncture Treatment for De Quervain's Disease

Cho YJ, Shin KM, Han CH, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2024)

79% Pain reduction rate
92 patients Participants

Pharmacopuncture is an effective treatment method for De Quervain's disease.

View Source 2024
RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Randomized Controlled Trial of Pharmacopuncture Treatment for De Quervain's Disease

Cho YJ, Shin KM, Han CH, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2024)
79% Pain reduction rate
92 patients Participants

Summary

Ninety-two patients with De Quervain's disease were randomly assigned to pharmacopuncture or placebo acupuncture groups and treated for 6 weeks. The pharmacopuncture group showed significant improvements in pain, Finkelstein test positive rates, and grip strength.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture is an effective treatment method for De Quervain's disease.

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RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Comparative Effect of Electroacupuncture and Night Splint in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Lee DH, Kim SY, Jung HW, et al.

Pain Medicine (2023)

86% Combination group symptom improvement rate
128 patients Participants

Electroacupuncture has effects equivalent to night splint in carpal tunnel syndrome, with synergistic effects when combined.

View Source 2023
RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Comparative Effect of Electroacupuncture and Night Splint in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Lee DH, Kim SY, Jung HW, et al. Pain Medicine (2023)
86% Combination group symptom improvement rate
128 patients Participants

Summary

One hundred twenty-eight carpal tunnel syndrome patients were randomly assigned to electroacupuncture, night splint, or combination groups. The combination group showed the greatest effect, and electroacupuncture alone also showed effects equivalent to splint alone.

Key Conclusion

Electroacupuncture has effects equivalent to night splint in carpal tunnel syndrome, with synergistic effects when combined.

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Meta-Analysis Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Acupuncture for Trigger Finger: A Meta-Analysis

Park JY, Seo BK, Lee GM, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)

75% Symptom improvement rate
612 patients Total participants

Acupuncture is effective as a non-surgical treatment method for trigger finger.

View Source 2022
Meta-Analysis Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Acupuncture for Trigger Finger: A Meta-Analysis

Park JY, Seo BK, Lee GM, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)
75% Symptom improvement rate
612 patients Total participants

Summary

Ten studies (total 612 patients) analyzing acupuncture effects in trigger finger patients were meta-analyzed. Acupuncture showed significant effects on pain reduction and finger locking frequency reduction.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture is effective as a non-surgical treatment method for trigger finger.

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Before-After Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Physiotherapy for Wrist Tenosynovitis: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Ryu BH, Kang JW, Moon SK, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2021)

72% Pain reduction rate
64 patients Participants

Korean medicine physiotherapy is effective for symptom improvement of wrist tenosynovitis.

View Source 2021
Before-After Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Physiotherapy for Wrist Tenosynovitis: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Ryu BH, Kang JW, Moon SK, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2021)
72% Pain reduction rate
64 patients Participants

Summary

Korean medicine physiotherapy (infrared, cupping, TENS) was performed for 4 weeks on 64 patients with wrist tenosynovitis, with pre-post changes compared. Pain scores, grip strength, and wrist range of motion all significantly improved.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine physiotherapy is effective for symptom improvement of wrist tenosynovitis.

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RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Comparison of Pharmacopuncture and Steroid Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Song YK, Kim TH, Ha IH, et al.

Pain Medicine (2024)

82% 12-week effect maintenance rate
96 patients Participants

Pharmacopuncture has short-term effects equivalent to steroid injection in carpal tunnel syndrome and is superior long-term.

View Source 2024
RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Comparison of Pharmacopuncture and Steroid Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Song YK, Kim TH, Ha IH, et al. Pain Medicine (2024)
82% 12-week effect maintenance rate
96 patients Participants

Summary

Ninety-six carpal tunnel syndrome patients were assigned to pharmacopuncture or steroid injection groups and followed for 12 weeks. Effects of both groups were equivalent at 4 weeks, but effect maintenance rate of the pharmacopuncture group was significantly higher at 12-week follow-up.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture has short-term effects equivalent to steroid injection in carpal tunnel syndrome and is superior long-term.

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Narrative Review Wrist / Hand Pain

Narrative Literature Review of Korean Medicine Treatment for Hand Pain

Min BW, Choi SM, Lee IS, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2020)

38 studies Analyzed papers
12 conditions Target diseases

Korean medicine treatment for hand pain is an effective approach applicable to various diseases.

View Source 2020
Narrative Review Wrist / Hand Pain

Narrative Literature Review of Korean Medicine Treatment for Hand Pain

Min BW, Choi SM, Lee IS, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2020)
38 studies Analyzed papers
12 conditions Target diseases

Summary

Korean medicine treatments for various etiological diseases of wrist and hand pain (carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain's disease, tenosynovitis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) were comprehensively reviewed. Acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and Chuna therapy were confirmed as effective for each disease.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine treatment for hand pain is an effective approach applicable to various diseases.

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RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Comparative Study of Acupuncture and Anti-Inflammatory Analgesics in De Quervain's Disease Patients

Im JC, Kwon OJ, Yoo TW, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)

78% Pain reduction rate
84 patients Participants

Acupuncture can be a safe alternative to anti-inflammatory analgesics in De Quervain's disease.

View Source 2023
RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Comparative Study of Acupuncture and Anti-Inflammatory Analgesics in De Quervain's Disease Patients

Im JC, Kwon OJ, Yoo TW, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)
78% Pain reduction rate
84 patients Participants

Summary

Eighty-four De Quervain's disease patients were assigned to acupuncture or anti-inflammatory analgesic groups, and treatment effects were compared over 4 weeks. The acupuncture group showed pain reduction effects equivalent to the anti-inflammatory analgesic group without gastrointestinal side effects.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture can be a safe alternative to anti-inflammatory analgesics in De Quervain's disease.

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Cohort Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Chuna Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Cohort Study

Han KW, Shin BC, Chung WS, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)

87% Symptom improvement rate
142 patients Participants

Combination of Chuna therapy and acupuncture enhances treatment effects of carpal tunnel syndrome.

View Source 2024
Cohort Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Chuna Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Cohort Study

Han KW, Shin BC, Chung WS, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)
87% Symptom improvement rate
142 patients Participants

Summary

One hundred forty-two carpal tunnel syndrome patients were divided into Chuna therapy plus acupuncture and acupuncture alone groups, and followed for 8 weeks. The Chuna therapy combination group showed significantly more improvements in symptom severity, functional status, and nerve conduction velocity.

Key Conclusion

Combination of Chuna therapy and acupuncture enhances treatment effects of carpal tunnel syndrome.

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